Positioning device

Abstract

A positioning device is e.g. used for positioning the door of a motor vehicle in an opened position. The positioning device comprises e.g. a cylinder and a piston rod which extends inward and outwards of the cylinder through one end thereof. A flank face is provided at the inner wall surface of the cylinder. The piston rod carries a piston. The piston is provided with a counter-arresting ring which engages the flank face in a predetermined position. When the piston passes across the arresting flank of the cylinder, the counter-arresting ring is moved radially inwards with respect to the axis of the piston rod against elastic resistence. So, an increased resistance occurs against the axial movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder. This increased resistance against axial movement positions the door with respect to the body frame of a motor vehicle in a predetermined opened position and avoids that the door is closed unintentionally. Af the flank face and the arresting ring are enclosed within the cavity of the cylinder, they are not subject to environmental conditions, which might deteriorate their positioning function after a period of use. Lubricating agent may be provided within the cavity for lubricating the flank face and the arresting ring. As such lubricating agent is enclosed within the cavity of the cylinder, there is no risk for the vehicle driver to be polluted by the lubricating agent.

We claim: 
     
       1. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means comprising at least one flank face adjacent to said inner wall surface, said flank face being inclined with respect to said axis when regarded in a sectional plane containing said axis,   said flank face being the result of an annular deformation of said longitudinal wall means which provides a radially inwardly projecting rib at said inner wall surface,   said counter-arresting means comprising a counter-arresting member comprising an axially slit annular member with a radially inner peripheral face and a radially outer peripheral face, said axially slit annular member being biased for radial expansion, said radially outer peripheral face being provided with a radially outwardly opening peripheral groove receiving said radially inwardly projecting rib in response to axial movement of said second positioning member with respect to said first positioning member when said counter-arresting means passes said arresting means,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements.   
     
     
       2. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means comprising at least one flank face adjacent to said inner wall surface, said flank face being inclined with respect to said axis when regarded in a sectional plane containing said axis, said counter-arresting means at least one counter-arresting member radially inwardly displaceable with respect to said second positioning member against elastic resistance, radial inward displacement of said at least one counter-arresting member occurring in response to axial movement of said second positioning member with respect to said first positioning member when said at least one counter-arresting member passes across said flank face,   said at least one counter-arresting member comprising at least one ball member radially movable with respect to said second positioning member and biased in radially outward direction by a ball biasing member supported by said second positioning member,   said ball biasing member being annular in shape and being made of elastomeric material, a radially expandable intermediate ring being provided radially between said at least one ball member and said annular ball biasing member,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements.   
     
     
       3. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two end, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing different resistances against relative movement in response to the direction of relative movement of said first positioning member and said second positioning member,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements.   
     
     
       4. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements,   said respective fastening means being suited for pivotally fastening said first and said second positioning members to respective construction elements,   said fastening means of said first positioning member being provided adjacent to said at least one end of said first positioning member through which said second positioning member extends,   said fastening means of said first positioning member comprising adjacent to said one end of said cavity at least one of a pivot bore and a pivot pin substantially radial with respect to said axis.   
     
     
       5. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements,   said respective fastening means being suited for pivotally fastening said first said second positioning members to respective construction elements,   said fastening means of said first positioning member being provided adjacent to said at least one end of said first positioning member through which said second positioning member extends,   said first positioning member being provided adjacent to said at least one end with a partially spherical ball head received by a ball socket of the respective fastening means.   
     
     
       6. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member, namely a casing having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements,   said respective fastening means being suited for pivotally fastening said first and said second positioning members to respective construction elements,   said fastening means of said first positioning member comprising an annular elastic fastening member engaging at least one of said first positioning member and a guiding member guiding said second positioning member adjacent to said one end of said cavity.   
     
     
       7. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said first positioning member (2) being a cylindrical casing (2), said arresting means (10) being provided on said cylindrical casing (2). 
     
     
       8. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said second positioning member (4) being a piston rod member (4), said piston rod member (4) being provided with a piston unit (14) within said cavity (61), said counter-arresting means (15) being part of said piston unit (14). 
     
     
       9. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said piston rod member (4) extending through only one end of said cavity (61), the other end of said cavity (61) being closed by an end wall (60). 
     
     
       10. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said arresting means (10) comprising at least one flank face (65, 66) adjacent to said inner wall surface (64), said flank face (65, 66) being inclined with respect to said axis when regarded in a sectional plane containing said axis, said counter-arresting means (15) comprising a counter-arresting member (15) radially inwardly displaceable with respect to said second positioning member (4) against elastic resistance, radial inward displacement of said counter-arresting member (15) occurring in response to axial movement of said second positioning member (4) with respect to said first positioning member (2) when said counter-arresting member (15) passes across said flank face (65, 66). 
     
     
       11. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said flank face (65, 66) being the result of an annular deformation (10) of said longitudinal wall means (9). 
     
     
       12. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said annular deformation (10) of said longitudinal wall means (9) providing a radially inwardly projecting rib (10) at said inner wall surface (64). 
     
     
       13. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said annular deformation (328) providing a radially outwardly extending, groove (372) in said inner wall surface (364). 
     
     
       14. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said counter-arresting member (15) being an annular body (15) of elastic material, said annular body (15) of elastic material having at least one flank engagement face (67, 68). 
     
     
       15. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said (15) of elastic material having an external circumferential face (22) engaging said inner wall surface (64). 
     
     
       16. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said external circumferential face (22) being provided with recesses (16). 
     
     
       17. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said recesses (16) being axially extending grooves (16) and/or circumferentially extending grooves (476). 
     
     
       18. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said annular body (415) of elastic material including a radially elastic reinforcement ring member (441). 
     
     
       19. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said flank engagement face (67, 68) being inclined with respect to said axis by an acute angle when regarded in a plane containing said axis. 
     
     
       20. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said external circumferential face (22) having an axial length substantially smaller than the axial length of said annular body (15) of elastic material. 
     
     
       21. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said counter-arresting member (124) comprising an axially slit annular member (124) with a radially inner peripheral face and a radially outer peripheral face (125), said axially slit annular member (124) being biased for radial expansion, said radially outer peripheral face (125) being provided with a radially outwardly opening peripheral groove (126), said radially outwardly opening peripheral groove (126) receiving said radially inwardly projecting rib (110) in response to axial movement of said second positioning member (104) with respect to said first positioning member (102) when said counter-arresting means (124) pass said arresting means (110). 
     
     
       22. A positioning device as claimed in claims 1 or 3 said axially slit annular member (124) being located axially between two abutment discs (117, 118) mounted on said second positioning member (104). 
     
     
       23. A positioning device as claimed in claims 1 or 3, said axially slit annular member (124) comprising a plurality of segments. 
     
     
       24. A positioning device as claimed in claim 1 or 3, said axially slit annular member (124) being biased for radial expansion by at least one elastic biasing member (127) engaging the radially inner peripheral face of said axially slit annular member (124), said elastic biasing member (127) being an annular biasing member (127) of rubber elastic material, said annular biasing member (127) being supported by a radially outer supporting face of said second positioning member (104). 
     
     
       25. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said counter-arresting member (229) being an annular groove engagement member (229) biased for radial expansion, said annular groove engagement member (229) being engageable with said radially outwardly extending groove (272) in said inner wall surface (264). 
     
     
       26. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said counter-arresting member (333) comprising at least one ball member (333) radially movable with respect to said second positioning member (304) and biased in radially outward direction by a ball biasing member (335) supported by said second positioning member (304). 
     
     
       27. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said ball biasing member (335) being annular in shape and being made of elastomeric material, a radially expandable intermediate ring (336) being provided radially between said at least one ball member (333) and said annular ball biasing member (335). 
     
     
       28. A positioning device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, a plurality of ball members (333) being provided, said plurality of ball members (333) being received by an annular cage member (334). 
     
     
       29. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said arresting means (10) comprising a plurality of flank faces (65, 66) of different inclinations with respect to said axis. 
     
     
       30. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said counter-arresting member (15) comprising a plurality of flank engagement faces (67, 68) of different inclinations with respect to said axis. 
     
     
       31. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said elastic resistance resisting radial inward displacement of said counter-arresting member (229) being variable in response to the direction of axial relative movement of said first positioning member (202) and said second positioning member (204). 
     
     
       32. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said counter-arresting member (229) frictionally engaging said inner wall surface (264) and being radially supported with axial play on a conical support face (231) of said second positioning member (204). 
     
     
       33. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, brake means (337) being provided between said first and said second positioning members (309, 304) braking axially relative movement thereof in at least one range of movement outside said at least one predetermined relative position. 
     
     
       34. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said brake means (337) comprising an annular frictional member (338) of elastic material radially supported by said second positioning member (304) and frictionally engaging said inner wall surface (364). 
     
     
       35. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said brake means (337) having different braking effects in response to the direction of relative axial movement of said first and said second positioning members (302, 304). 
     
     
       36. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said annular frictional member (338) being radially supported with axial play by a conical support face (339) of said second positioning member (304). 
     
     
       37. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said fastening means being suited for pivotally fastening said first and said second positioning members (2, 4) to respective construction elements (5, 7). 
     
     
       38. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said fastening means of said first positioning member (2) being provided adjacent to said at least one end of said first positioning member (2) through which said second positioning member (4), extends. 
     
     
       39. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said fastening means comprising adjacent to said one end of said cavity (61) at least one of a pivot bore (69) and a pivot pin (70) substantially radial with respect to said axis. 
     
     
       40. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said at least one of a pivot bore (69) and a pivot pin (70) being provided in a guiding member (562) guiding said second positioning member (504) through said one end of said cavity (561). 
     
     
       41. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said casing (602) being provided adjacent to said at least one end with a partially spherical ball head (643) received by a ball socket (644) of the respective fastening means. 
     
     
       42. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said partially spherical ball head (643) being shaped from the material (609) of said casing (602). 
     
     
       43. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said partially spherical ball head (745) being provided on a ball head carrier member (745) fastened to said casing (702) adjacent to said at least one end of said cavity (761). 
     
     
       44. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said fastening means of said first positioning member (902) comprising an annular elastic fastening member (948) engaging at least one of said casing (902) and a guiding member (962) guiding said second positioning member (904) adjacent to said one end of said cavity (961). 
     
     
       45. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, said annular elastic fastening member (948) being engaged in groove means (986) adjacent to said one end of said cavity (961) through which said second positioning member (904) extends, said annular elastic fastening member (948) being engageable with a rigid fastening member (949) fixed with respect to the respective construction part. 
     
     
       46. A positioning device as claimed in claims 3, 4, 5 or 6 one of said construction elements (5, 7) being a body frame (5) of a motor vehicle and the other one (7) of said construction elements being a door (7) of said motor vehicle, one (2) of said positioning members (2, 4) being fastened to said body frame (5) of said motor vehicle and the other one (4) of said positioning members (2, 4) being fastened to said door (7). 
     
     
       47. A positioning device as claimed in claims 3, 4, 5 or 6 door (7) being pivotally mounted on said body frame (5) about a door pivot axis (D), said first and second positioning members (2, 4) being pivotally fastened to respective ones of said body frame (5) and said door (7) about fastening pivot axes (6, 8) substantially parallel to said door pivot axis (D). 
     
     
       48. A positioning device as claimed in claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, said first positioning member being accommodated within a hollow space of said door and being pivotally connected with said door at a location of said first positioning member adjacent to said at least one end thereof through which said second positioning member extends, said second positioning member having an end portion outside said cavity, said end portion being pivotally connected to said body frame of said motor vehicle. 
     
     
       49. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said position device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and tow ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means comprising a plurality of flank faces adjacent to said inner wall surface, said flank faces being inclined at different inclinations with respect to said axis when regarded in a sectional plane containing said axis, said counter-arresting means comprising a counter-arresting member radially inwardly displaceable with respect to said second positioning member against elastic resistance, radial inward displacement of said counter-arresting member occurring in response to axial movement of said second positioning member with respect to said first positioning member when said counter-arresting member passes across said flank face,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements.   
     
     
       50. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means comprising at least one flank face adjacent to said inner wall surface, said flank face being inclined with respect to said axis when regarded in a sectional plane containing said axis, said counter-arresting means comprising a counter-arresting member radially inwardly displaceable with respect to said second positioning member against elastic resistance, radial inward displacement of said counter-arresting member occurring in response to axial movement of said second positioning member with respect to said first positioning member when said counter-arresting member passes across said flank face   said counter-arresting member comprising a plurality of flank engagement faces of different inclinations with respect to said axis,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements.   
     
     
       51. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means comprising at least one flank face adjacent to said inner wall surface, said flank face being inclined with respect to said axis when regarded in a sectional plane containing said axis, said counter-arresting means comprising a counter-arresting member radially inwardly displaceable with respect to said second positioning member against elastic resistance, radial inward displacement of said counter-arresting member occurring in response to axial movement of said second positioning member with respect to said first positioning member when said counter-arresting member passes across said flank face,   said elastic resistance resisting radial inward displacement of said counter-arresting member being variable in response to the direction of axial relative movement of said first positioning member and said second positioning member,   said counter-arresting member frictionally engaging said inner wall surface and being radially supported with axial play on a conical support face of said second positioning member,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements.   
     
     
       52. A positioning device for positioning two relatively movable construction elements of a construction assembly in at least one relative position of said construction elements, said positioning device comprising: a first positioning member having a longitudinal cavity with an axis, longitudinal wall means and two ends, said longitudinal wall means defining an inner wall surface,   a second positioning member extending inwards and outwards of said cavity through at least one of said two ends and being movable with respect to said cavity along said axis,   a brake means being provided between said first and said second positioning members braking axially relative movement thereof in at least one range of movement outside said at least one predetermined relative position,   said brake means comprising an annular frictional member of elastic material radially supported with axial play by a conical support face of said second positioning member and frictionally engaging said inner wall surface,   said first positioning member being provided with arresting means within said cavity and said second positioning member being provided with counter-arresting means,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being mechanically engageable with each other in at least one predetermined relative position of said first and second positioning members, respectively,   engagement of said arresting means and said counter-arresting means providing increased resistance against relative movement of said first and said second positioning members in at least one direction of relative movement of said positioning members,   said arresting means and said counter-arresting means being sealingly enclosed within said cavity,   said first and second positioning members being provided with respective fastening means outside said cavity for fastening said positioning members to respective construction elements.